CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C

Is Ottumwa, Iowa Safe?

Population 25,319 · Safer than 30% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 25,319, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Ottumwa earns a C with violent crime above the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,470 per 100K.

Ottumwa Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricOttumwaIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate420.9332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate1840.02075.01,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate327.0--268.2
Theft Rate1470.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate209.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC

226.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

421/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1840/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Ottumwa

Violent crime in Ottumwa is above the national average. The rate of 420.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1840.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,470 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 327 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Ottumwa Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault327
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery95
01.5x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary238
088% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,470
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft209
066% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Ottumwa Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ottumwa
420.9
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ottumwa
1840.0
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ottumwa Safety

Is Ottumwa safe?
Not especially. Ottumwa earns a C with a crime rate of 226.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Ottumwa?
226.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 420.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1840.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Ottumwa safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Ottumwa's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,470 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Ottumwa?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Ottumwa generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Ottumwa police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Ottumwa?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Ottumwa's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Ottumwa compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. Ottumwa ranks behind about 65% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Ottumwa to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Ottumwa?
Bad. A C grade and 226.1 per-thousand rate put Ottumwa below 70% of US cities. Violent crime at 421 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Ottumwa?
420.9 per 100,000, which is 16% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (327), robbery (95), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Iowa

Similar-sized communities in Iowa. Compare crime rates across the state.

C
See crime rates in Johnston25,065 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in Fort Dodge24,837 pop · Grade D+
C-
See crime rates in Clinton24,049 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in Coralville23,960 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in Mason City26,853 pop · Grade D+
C-
See crime rates in Burlington23,336 pop · Grade C-
View all Iowa city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Ottumwa

Get weekly safety updates for Ottumwa

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities